The officer suspended over allegations of rape at Tulliallan Police College is a member of the force’s elite firearms unit.
According to the Sunday Post, Police Scotland is investigating an incident at the training college, in Fife, reported on October 14.
The officer concerned is a highly-trained firearms officer who was attending Tulliallan for further training as a close protection officer guarding members of the royal family and visiting VIPs.
‘Collective duty of responsibility’
The college has an onsite pub, The Copper Lounge.
The source said: “A number of senior officers were present at The Copper Lounge and questions are being asked about events in the run up to this alleged incident.
“These officers all have a collective duty of responsibility.”
Police Scotland have been forced to deal with a series of allegations of sexism, misogyny and bullying.
In a landmark review published in 2020, former lord advocate Dame Elish Angiolini urged the Scottish Government to overhaul how complaints against Police Scotland are investigated and warned the national force must address issues around sexism and racism.
Earlier this year firearms officer Rhona Malone was awarded almost £1 million by a tribunal after it found she had been victimised at work.
The tribunal accepted evidence her unit was “an absolute boys’ club” where the culture was “horrific”.
‘Culture of bullying and misogyny’
Previously The Sunday Post told how a firearms sergeant, who was in line for promotion when he reported bullying and sexist behaviour towards Malone and other female officers, claims he was hounded out of his job as a result.
The officer had his integrity questioned after taking his concerns to his MSP and watchdog the Scottish Police Authority.
The former sergeant said: “There has to be a proper independent review of what is happening within Police Scotland. Too many officers are being lost because of the culture of bullying and misogyny.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “A report of a serious sexual assault was received and an investigation was launched immediately.
“An officer was also suspended at that time. He remains suspended while this investigation continues.”
